Zi Ning stood at the head of the long, polished conference table, her posture straight and her expression calm. Around her, the senior board members of the Zi Corporation murmured quietly, their faces reflecting a mix of curiosity and tension. Today was no ordinary meeting—and everyone knew it.
At the far end of the table, Zi Yue sat with a serene smile on her lips. Dressed in a tailored black suit, she looked every bit the powerful businesswoman. But Zi Ning knew the truth beneath that polished exterior. The lies, the secrets, and the ruthless ambition hiding behind her sister's perfect façade.
The moment of reckoning had come.
Lu Yichen leaned against the wall near the windows, his sharp gaze sweeping the room. Though he remained silent, his presence was like a blade in the shadows—cold and dangerous. Zi Ning took comfort in that. Whatever happened today, she wasn't facing it alone.
The chairman, an elderly man with silver hair, tapped his pen against the table. "Miss Zi Ning," he said, his voice firm. "You requested this emergency meeting. I trust you have a good reason for disrupting the schedule?"
Zi Ning met his gaze without flinching. "I do, Chairman Liu. I've gathered evidence regarding serious misconduct happening within the company—actions that threaten the Zi Corporation's reputation and future."
The room fell silent. The board members exchanged uneasy glances. Everyone knew how fierce the rivalry between the Zi sisters had grown—but no one had expected Zi Ning to strike so openly.
Zi Yue chuckled softly, breaking the silence. "Sister," she said sweetly, "you make it sound so dramatic. What misconduct are you talking about? Surely, if you had evidence, you would have presented it already."
Zi Ning smiled coldly. "I plan to do just that." She turned to Lu Yichen, giving him a slight nod.
Without a word, Lu Yichen stepped forward and placed a sleek laptop on the table. He connected a USB drive and brought up a video on the large screen at the front of the room.
The board members leaned forward, curiosity sharp in their eyes.
The grainy footage filled the screen. Zi Yue stood in a dimly lit room, speaking to the mysterious man in the black suit. Their conversation played out clearly:
"…Once Project Phoenix is complete, no one will dare challenge you."
"And Zi Ning?"
"She won't be a problem for much longer."
The moment the video ended, the silence was deafening. Shock and disbelief rippled through the room. Several board members exchanged alarmed looks, their faces pale.
Zi Ning's voice cut through the silence like a blade. "This is your Vice President, Zi Yue, discussing illegal human experimentation under the code name 'Project Phoenix.' She is working with external criminal organizations to seize control of the Zi Corporation. I have more evidence—offshore accounts, secret contracts, and testimonies from employees who were forced into silence."
A murmur swept through the room, rising like a wave.
Chairman Liu's face darkened with anger. "Zi Yue! Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Zi Yue, to her credit, didn't lose her composure. She leaned back in her chair, her expression calm. "This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to smear my name," she said coolly. "A manipulated video? Anonymous testimonies? Sister, I expected better from you."
Zi Ning didn't blink. "If it's all lies, then you won't mind allowing an independent audit of your projects and financial records."
The board members murmured their agreement. An audit would uncover the truth, and if Zi Ning's claims were accurate, Zi Yue would have no place left to hide.
For the first time, Zi Yue's smile slipped. Her fingers curled tightly against the armrests. "You have no right—"
"I have every right," Zi Ning interrupted. "As the rightful heir of the Zi family and a major shareholder, I demand this investigation. If you refuse, it only proves your guilt."
The board members nodded, their faces hard with resolve. Zi Yue had always been a threat—but no one wanted a criminal running their empire.
Chairman Liu rapped his knuckles against the table. "I will personally authorize the audit. Effective immediately, Zi Yue, you are suspended from all executive duties until the investigation is complete."
Zi Yue shot to her feet, fury flashing in her eyes. "You can't do this!"
"It's already done," Zi Ning said coldly.
The meeting ended with a tense silence as Zi Yue stormed out, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Zi Ning remained seated, her hands folded calmly in her lap, though her heart still pounded against her ribs.
Lu Yichen waited until the room had emptied before approaching her. His face was unreadable, but his voice was soft. "You handled that well."
Zi Ning exhaled slowly, the weight of weeks of tension easing from her shoulders. "It's not over yet. Zi Yue won't go down quietly."
"No," Lu Yichen agreed, his expression turning colder. "She'll fight back. And the people backing her won't sit still either. You need to be ready."
Zi Ning looked up at him, meeting his gaze. "I am ready."
That evening, she returned to the Zi family estate. The mansion stood tall and proud beneath the moonlight, but tonight, the air felt heavier—like a storm was coming.
As she entered the grand hall, a familiar voice called out.
"Ning'er."
Old Madam Zi stood at the top of the staircase, her eyes sharp and assessing. Zi Ning walked toward her grandmother, the echo of her footsteps steady and sure.
"I heard about the meeting," the old woman said. "You did well. But this battle is only beginning."
Zi Ning bowed her head respectfully. "I won't fail the family."
Old Madam Zi's expression softened, though her tone remained stern. "Good. Zi Yue has caused enough damage. If she fights back, crush her completely. The Zi Corporation cannot afford weakness."
Zi Ning's lips curved into a cold smile. "I understand, Grandmother."
The old matriarch studied her for a long moment before nodding. "Rest tonight. Tomorrow, we strike harder."
Zi Ning turned to leave but paused at the doorway. She knew her battle with Zi Yue was far from over—but for the first time, she felt truly in control.
Let Zi Yue try whatever tricks she wanted.